HOW WE RAISE OUR PUPS
FAMILY RAISED
Our Approach to Exceptional Puppies
At Pickerel Pups, our breeding philosophy centers on four essential pillars: comprehensive health and temperament testing, Puppy Culture enrichment, intentional breeding decisions, and premium nutrition. We believe healthy, well-balanced parents create exceptional puppies, which is why we prioritize these foundational elements in everything we do.
Our dogs aren't just breeding stock—they're family members who live in our home, enjoying all the love, attention, and comforts that come with being part of our family! We have over 10 acres for our dogs to explore, with some trails cut between the trees, a lake to swim in and a lodge to relax in when they aren't being rotated in our home.
Our Puppy Development Program
Craig and I put a lot of thought into how we raise our puppies from the very beginning. Starting on day one, we weigh each puppy daily, keep a close eye on their development, and spend a whole lot of time getting to know them as individuals.
During their first few weeks, we use Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) and Early Scent Introduction (ESI). As they grow, so does their world. We introduce new sounds, surfaces, people, handling, grooming, crates, household activity, outdoor adventures and plenty of new experiences—all at an age and pace that makes sense for them.
Over the years, we've taken the pieces we love from Puppy Culture, Badass Breeder protocols and Volhard temperament testing and combined them with a few things we've learned along the way. We don't follow one program to the letter. Instead, we've created our own approach that works well for us and for our puppies.
And probably my favorite part is watching their little personalities develop. We pay attention to who naturally seeks out people, who is the first to explore something new, who stops to think about it first, who wants to be in the middle of everything and who would much rather curl up next to you.
Before our puppies go home, we complete a temperament assessment that combines pieces of BAB and Volhard with our own observations from raising and living with them every day.
Because we're not trying to raise nine identical puppies. We're trying to figure out who each puppy is, give them the best start we can, and help match that puppy with the family where they'll fit best.
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Our Commitment to Cleanliness
Our dedicated puppy area is thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily. This meticulous attention to hygiene isn't just about appearance—it's a critical component of raising robust, healthy puppies in an environment where they can thrive from their first moments of life.
This comprehensive approach ensures your Pickerel Pup has the strongest possible foundation for a lifetime of health, happiness, and companionship with your family.
HEALTH TESTING
Temperment and health is our highest priority. Before a dog joins our breeding program they go through different tests important to their breed. Such as, temperament, genetics, OFA and/or PennHIP. Health testing is important to produce the best offspring possible and eliminate health issues.
How we raise our puppies...
At Pickerel Pups, we believe raising a great puppy starts long before go-home day. From the day they are born, our puppies are handled, loved, challenged, encouraged, and introduced to the world around them in thoughtful, age-appropriate ways. Our goal is simple: to give them the very best start we can.
Over the years, the way we raise and evaluate our puppies has grown right along with us. We use many of the principles taught by Jeanette Forrey through the Badass Breeder (BAB) program, elements of the Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test, and plenty of things we have learned through years of raising puppies ourselves. We've taken what works, added what we've learned, and created a program that feels very much our own.
As our puppies grow, we introduce them to different sounds, surfaces, people, handling, grooming, crates, household activity, and lots of new experiences. We also give them little challenges along the way. What happens when an umbrella suddenly opens? What do they do when someone nearby begins to cry? Do they run over to investigate? Offer comfort? Sit back and watch? Startle and quickly recover? Every response tells us a little more about the puppy standing in front of us.
But here's the thing—we don't believe one test on one day can tell you everything about a puppy.
We've known these babies since their very first breath. We've watched who is first to explore, who hangs back and thinks about things, who wants to be right beside us, who lives for the puppy pile, and who would much rather curl up in a human lap. Those everyday moments matter just as much to us as any score on a temperament test.
By the time our puppies are ready for their families, we know them pretty darn well. And that allows us to do one of our favorite parts of raising puppies: helping each family find the puppy whose personality truly fits their life.
Because we're not trying to raise a litter of identical puppies. We're trying to help each one become the very best version of the dog they were meant to be—whether that's a beloved family companion, an adventure buddy, a therapy prospect, or a puppy who may have the temperament and aptitude to pursue service work. It just keeps getting better. We truly love what we do.
ENS/ESI
Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) is a training program that introduces mild stimulations to puppies (days 3-17) in a gentle, controlled way. This curriculum helps encourage neurological growth, which improves the development of the pup’s immune system, cardiovascular system, and stress tolerance.
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Early Scent Introduction (ESI) is a training program for puppies designed to enhance their ability to identify, and react to, specific scents. Starting at day 3-17, we introduce a new scent to the puppy for brief intervals, and record the puppy’s reaction. ESI has several benefits—improved confidence and stability, greater nose awareness, and more adaptive to change.
Pickerel Pups is proudly family-run in Minnesota, where our dogs are raised with intention, integrity, and care — one litter at a time.